Like exx said, it's what you prefer on the rifle. I just did a PSA build about 3 weeks ago. I don't know how to build from a stripped lower so I bought a complete lower and complete upper and put them together. I got a sling, rear BUIS and cheap ($80) scope from eBay and have $586 total in the entire rifle and it looks how I wanted. I considered buying one of the Ruger's when I saw the sale, but after just buying one decided to pass...for the time being

A friend of mine at work, after many years of not owning an AR, finally decided to get one. He went over to the local store where the AR experts live (think LDD here) and talked to them. They were very helpful and full of good advice. A few days later he went back and came out with a new M4-ish AR. He told me that he also learned from them that building one was pretty easy and figured at some point he would do one that way too. Two days later (yesterday), after talking to the guys at the store again, bought a lower and a parts kit. By dinner time that day he had it put together. No stock or upper yet, but he's absolutely tickled about it. He thinks he wants to put a varmint-quality upper and glass on it.

If you are happy with the type of AR that is ~$400 (and not do any mods), then no, it doesn't make sense to build. I realize that will come across as snobby, but that isn't my intent.

Once you start swapping out a few furniture items or add a rail, you'll quickly hit break-even (or exceed it) than if you built it that way from the start. If you want better quality components, the sky is the limit.

I like to get Anderson lowers for $39.95, then order parts as they come on sale over a period of up to 8 months and slowly put together a higher quality build for a really good price. Easiest way would be to buy a complete lower you really like and a complete upper when each are on sale, but that may be at different times from different vendors.

“People have to really suffer before they can risk doing what they love.” –Chuck Palahnuik

From a financial standpoint, buying will probably get you a gun quicker and at least at the same cost of building. However, building carries its own benefits that can't be readily weighted in terms of dollars. With building, you'll have a more "intimate" relationship with the internals of the AR. Especially the lower receiver. With getting good parts at a decent price, you could always put together another AR as a spare, backup, training dedicated gun that you can run into the ground and challenge yourself to problem-shoot and repair, or an extra trunk gun or "patrol rifle." It's also a fun activity if you get someone else involved. You might also want to upgrade the internals or cosmetics of your gun. After building 1+ rifles, you'll be more fluent with the upgrading endeavor.

I think it is best to buy a couple, and build at least a couple.

The spare parts will come in handy and open additional possibilities for yourself (using AR parts on non-AR firearms as upgrades/alterations and to others, perhaps for building a gun for a spouse, kids, friends, etc...).

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Buying a few stripped lowers, parts kits is not a bad idea since prices are low. It's true if your building a semi- or custom ar-15 you might be better off building..just because your buying all the parts your going to exactly need.

It depends on if you can find a factory configuration that is the way you want it.

i cant find the rifle i want or the parts i want. its a soft market with all these "custom" builds on anderson lowers on the used market, and factory-new guns like those you listed selling for cheap, but the prices, supply/demand on the higher-end DD, BCM, NOVESKE, etc., all appears to be the same.

I think building one gives you invaluable insight into how an AR operates. I only had a general understanding of the impact a barrel's gas port has on the rest of a rifle. After assembling one from nothing, I now realize there's a lot involved in a rifle's proper operation. Just buying rifles probably wouldn't give me the understanding I have today. I think reloading is the next step.

Originally posted by jcat:I like the build process, gets you better acquainted with the rifle and such, but is it really worth it?

That's a personal choice, and there's no real right or wrong.

If one is looking for a lower-end AR with fairly generic components, price is likely the driving force for the decision. The components become more important for more specialized ARs, as does the quality of the assembly.

I have no desire to assemble an AR. Some of mine are factory models. For others I acquired critical components, then turned them over to good 'smith for assembly. I've stripped, cleaned, lubed, and changed out a few components of my ARs. I've helped other shooters tear down their ARs down to diagnose what made the rifles crap out during training.

My focus is developing the techniques to shoot ARs to their best efficiency and accuracy. YMMV

If you are thinking that building your own AR will save you money then you are delusional.There are only two reasons to build:1. Build for the experience of building.2. Build to get exactly the configuration your want.That's it.Me, I'm particular or picky on how I like my rifles so I build.

Just because you build it doesn't mean you don't get a warranty but typically the warranty isn't as good on a build as that of a factory built gun ... even PSA has warranty on thier parts, it's a pretty sad company that doesn't offer a warranty of some sort; all that being said, I've never applied for warranty on a gun; I don't recall ever having an issue that it was worth my time to mess with it.

If you really want something you'll find a way ...... if you don't you'll find an excuse.